World-class marinas putting the wind in the sails of Turkey’s lifestyle property market

Property in Turkey and land for sale from Turkey overseas property specialist Spot Blue

World-class marinas putting the wind in the sails of Turkey’s lifestyle property market

Property in Turkey and land for sale from Turkey overseas property specialist Spot Blue

World-class marinas putting the wind in the sails of Turkey’s lifestyle property market

Property in Turkey and land for sale from Turkey overseas property specialist Spot Blue

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World-class marinas putting the wind in the sails of Turkey’s lifestyle property market

Posted on 21 February 2014

Turkey’s growing marine tourism sector is expected to boost interest in property in coastal resorts in 2014, thanks to a raft of world-class marinas, many of them less than a year or two old, attracting an increasing number of lifestyle property investors, said Turkish property agency Spot Blue International Property in February.

Resorts with world-class marinas along Turkey’s pretty Aegean and Mediterranean coastlines have become property hot spots, not only for foreign investors but also members of Turkey’s rising affluent middle class, many of whom are based in Istanbul.

Some of Turkey’s newest and most desirable marinas include Palmarina in Yalikavak-Bodrum, newly opened in June 2013, D-Marin Marinas in Göcek and Didim, the latter being Turkey’s largest marina, the Setur and Camper & Nicholson marinas in Çeșme, and three further Setur marinas in Finike, Kaș and Antalya.

Commented Julian Walker, director at Spot Blue International Property: “Turkey’s upped its game in maritime tourism in recent years and we’re beginning to reap the rewards. That said, there’s more to come, as the Government has a target number of berths to hit before 2023. Areas such as Bodrum and Göcek have become highly fashionable hang-outs for the world’s sailing jet set, who attract chic restaurants and boutique shopping, as well as higher property prices. Istanbul’s hosting of the World Marine Conference in June this year will raise awareness of Turkey’s world-class marinas even more.”

One British couple who have benefited from owning a property in one of Turkey’s most desirable marina resorts are Jim and Elizabeth Wainwright. In 2008, the Wainwrights bought a four-bedroom, four-bathroom detached villa in the resort of Göcek, where they also keep their 50-foot yacht. Their property, which they purchased off-plan from the developer, is just a 10-15 minute walk from the marina.

“We were already familiar with Göcek from mooring our yacht there, so we knew we wanted to buy a villa in the resort,” said Jim. “Göcek is regarded as the boating centre of Turkey. It actually has a number of marinas, including the most expensive one in Turkey, and attracts wealthy Turks as well as affluent foreigners, including Russians. There are no high-rise buildings and we love the calm, cosmopolitan atmosphere, as well as the selection of excellent international restaurants – I’ve got to know many of the bar and restaurant owners over the years.”

Reaching Göcek from their home in the West Midlands, in the UK, is easy for the Wainwrights, thanks to direct flights to Dalaman Airport from Birmingham, East Midlands or Manchester. “Göcek is just a 20-miute transfer from Dalaman Airport,” continued Jim. “In fact, it once took me just 45 minutes from landing there to being sat on the yacht with a drink in my hand – I timed it!”

The Wainwrights spent around £30,000 kitting out their villa, which comes carefully furnished to European standards and with its own pool. They also began letting it successfully two years ago. However, after six years of ownership they are ready to sell, not because they don’t like it or have fallen out of love with Göcek, but because they prefer to be on water. “When we come to Göcek now, we find that we are spending increasing amounts of time on our boat and not getting much use out of the villa,” concludes Jim. “It makes more sense to sell – basically, we had to choose between the boat and the villa, and chose the boat!”

For more details on the Wainwrights villa, for sale through Spot Blue, click here.